Not under any pressure from franchise owners: Laxman

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) Unlike beleaguered Bangalore Royal Challengers skipper Rahul Dravid, his Deccan Chargers counterpart V.V.S Laxman maintained Tuesday that his team is not under pressure and that the owners have been supportive despite the team’s poor performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The bottom placed Royal Challengers’ owner Vijay Mallya has already sacked the team’s chief executive Charu Sharma for poor performance. Mallya also stirred a controversy by saying that he regrets his decision to allow Dravid and Sharma to pick the players in the auction.

Laxman, who is in the same boat as Dravid, said his bosses have been very supportive and knows that the players have given their hundred per cent on the field.

“We have got good support from the team owner (Deccan Chronicle). Cricket is a game which can fluctuate any moment. We lost a couple of close matches and they are aware of it. They know that our players are giving cent per cent on the field. As long as they understand that, they are happy,” Laxman said when asked whether he too is feeling the heat like Dravid.

Laxman, whose team is here to play Delhi Daredevils Thursday, said he can understand the concerns of franchise owners as they have pumped in huge money.

Asked whether there is pressure on players while playing for a franchise, Laxman said: “Playing for a franchise is no different from playing for the country. The expectations from the franchise and from the fans are same. I can understand that the owners want their team to do well because they have put in so much of money.” said Laxman on the sidelines of a promotional event.

“The owner has the right to know why the team is not performing,” he said on the sidelines of a promotional event.

Laxman, who is sitting out of the team due to a injury, said it will take two weeks for the injury in his right hand to recover.

Stand-in-skipper Adam Gilchrist said Delhi Daredevils is a formidable outfit and they will have to raise their game.

“Daredevils are a balanced side. Glenn McGrath, Farvez Mahrooof have done well with the ball in the tournament. We are focussed and will have to perform well to beat them,” he said.